Hi all. I'm new to Quakers and just got my 1st one last Tuesday. We got him down in Myrtle Beach and they said he is between 4 and 5 months old. He is a total sweetheart although I can't seem to get him to step up He likes to sit on my shoulder and hide in my hair or my hoodie How hard is it usually to train them to step up? I also have 2 cockatiels but got them from another person that was rehoming them so they already were trained.

Congratulations on your new Quaker. I just got mine yesterday and love him. He learned "step up" right away. The breeder told me she didn't teach that (who knows why) but he seems very quick to learn. Just be consistent and keep trying. Moving him from one hand to another is a good way to practice.

He hates to stay on my hands at all. Jumps off of them right away and clings onto the front of my shirt or climbs right up to my shoulder. Just need to keep working with him I guess

Julz, just give your baby time to settle into it's new home....don't try and force him now....just put him in the cage, leaving door open and let him come out on his own, maybe offer birdie some treats and as you are offering them, tell him to step up; at the same time put your index finger into his breast and that usually will click with them they have to step up....and like I said, just don't force him into anything right now....birdie has to get use to it's environment because everything is all new to him....good luck and keep us informed to your progress with your sweetheart..and by the way congratulations....

Thanks! That's pretty much what I've been doing. I leave the cage open and he comes out and hangs out on top. When I come in the room he comes right up to me and lets me pet his head and his belly. He's really sweet just loves attention. I added a couple pictures

welcome tthe forum! i don't mean to be debbie downer here, but, just curious, you live in connecticut? i believe quakers are illegal in connecticut...

legality


have you looked into this at all? some states are so strict on this issue, while others may turn a blind eye. please be very careful.

kris

I had seen somewhere ( I would have to find it again) that they were illegal to breed and sell in CT but not to own.

Hi & welcome!
My first suggestion is a couple of books. Guide to the Quaker Parrot by Mattie Sue Athans is an excellent & inexpensive resource. You may want to order a copy from Amazon.com. Also, our forum owner, Shelly has a new book that you can download!

For the first few weeks I like to let a new bird get comfortable with its new home, cage, & family. I also prefer not to make any changes unless it is necessary due to being dangerous. I like to sit beside the cage in a comfortable chair as often as I can, relax & read aloud, sing softly, etc. When he seems to be comfortable with me and shows an interest in me then I start working with him.

Personally, I do not allow my birds on my shoulder for several reasons. One, should they become frightened they may bite your face (ears, eyes or lips) in fear. Or they may fly off of your shoulder should they accidentally be frightened. I teach my birds to allow me to gently place my thumb over their toes when they sit on my finger or hand. It takes a little practice & patience but all of my birds allow me to do this. I've had my cockatoos, macaws & Quaker to be spooked when hubby came in with a hat or carrying a box. Had I not had hold of them with my thumb they would have flown off in a panic and possibly injured themselves.

Have you chosen a name yet? Congratulations!

Jess

Thanks for the great welcome! We named him Yoshi and he is doing great! I got him to step up a couple times today and he comes running to me whenever I am near the cage. He makes a purring/burring type noise quite a bit, what is that about? He seems content when he does it. I'm hoping it's a happy noise We had a great day today, while I was watching the news he jumped down from his cage onto the couch to come on my lap. Thought it was cute. Oh yeah, I ordered that Guide to the Quaker Parrot book yesterday. Glad it was a good choice!

I really would check with Department of Environmental Protection in CT and see what their laws are regarding Quakers. The website Kris provided you may not be up to date, but the website you checked (might have been this one: Click~Here may not be up to date either.

I did find this: PDF file from Department of Environmental Protection and it does say that Quakers are illegal to import. (check out the Connecticut Regulations for Importations of Birds and Quadrupeds).

Anyways, I really would check into it. If for some reason your bird needs an avian vet, you may run into trouble finding one that will treat a Quaker given legality reasons.

I've talked to DEP. They are illegal but the person I spoke to says that they have never had any complaints. I did mention bringing the bird to the vet and he said it would depend on the vet. I used to work at the vet near me and don't think I would have any issues if anything came up.

Pretty much he told me to keep the wings clipped so he can't fly away. He was actually pretty nice. He was more concerned about it being a wild bird that was caught and put in a cage. Once he found out it was bred as a pet, he wasn't very concerned.

When I first got Picasso, we practiced and practiced "step-up". I said it so many times that was one of the first words he ever spoke. :-) Dont worry, he will get it!
Nice to meet you.
Gina




I always heard to keep a bird below shoulder level.. Something about a dominane thing? Can anyone add to that? Oh, cage included!
Thanks
Gina

Welcome to the forum.

Welcome to the forum!